Ukraine halves the amount of electric power supplied to Crimea

SIMFEROPOL, March 24, /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine has cut down by 50 percent the amount of electric power being supplied to Crimea, announced Rustam Temirgaliyev, First Vice-Premier of the Republic of Crimea, the CrimeaInform news agency reported.

Temirgaliyev said the Republic is linked with Ukraine by three high-voltage power transmission lines (LEP-330). "The Ukrainian supplier company UkrEnergo has has halved the amount of electric power being supplied via these LEP lines. The Peninsula currently receives 50 percent of the planned amount of electric power," he explained.

Following the power cutdown, the Crimea Power Systems" Company, in accordance with the rules of procedure, carried out a routine rolling cutoffs in the supply of electricity to facilities on the Peninsula. "A routine systemic rolling cutting-off of power is currently under way depending on the amount of electric power being supplied. At present, about 30 percent of Crimea is de-energized," the First Vice-Premier said. "This is not yet the limit to the drop of power supply. If the remaining 50 percent of the amount is cut off, the situation will be still more complex".

At the same time,Temirgaliyev said Crimea had been ready for such a step of Kiev and promptly reacted to the decline in power suppply. "We have got now available about 900 mobile diesel-generating plants all over the Peninsula. Partially they are already in operation to provide hospitals and pumping stations with a steady water supply, and electricity to governing bodies for them to be able to coordinate work," the First Vice-Premier of the Republic stated.

He also said that three thermal power plants in Crimea would be put into operation at full capacity. Temirgaliyev pointed out that the main problems, even in the event of a complete cutoff of supply from the mainland, would be resolved within one month and a half.

"Preparation is under way to activate nine mobile electric power units which generate a sufficient amount of power. It will take about one month and a half to do this. If Kiev continues to behave in such a way, we have about one month and a half to endure such a limited powe consumption mode. Later on, it will be easier (in this respect)," Temirgaliyev said.